Description: The winter in Inner Mongolia is very unforgiving. At a freezing temperature of minus 20 and lower, with a constant breeze of snow from all directions, it was pretty hard to convince myself to get out of the car and take photos. I saw horsemen showing off their skills and commanding the steed from a distance. I quickly grabbed my telephoto lens and captured the moment when one of the horsemen charged out from the morning mist.

“Wherever you go, I will follow you!!” by Hiroki Inoue – First Prize in Nature category

Description: It was when I drove back home feeling disappointed with the fact that I had finished the day in vain without any anticipated subject that I heard the joyful voice from the car window like “quack, quack!” There they were: red foxes. Around the end of the winter, they meet the season of love; they care for and love each other enough to make us jealous.
Location: Biei, Hokkaido, Japan.

Description: Marrakesh, Morocco, is an exciting city for any traveler, but I was tired of walking on the crowded street and being asked for money from local people, so I was looking for a place to settle down. Even though there were a lot of people in Ben Youssef Madrasa, it was still a more quiet and relaxing place than outside. Suddenly a beautiful reflection appeared on the shallow pool when I was taking a rest.
Location: Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Morocco

The Official Prizes for the National Geographic Photographer of the Year 2016 are:

Grand Prize:
• A 7-day Polar Bear Safari for Two at Churchill Wild-Seal River Heritage Lodge, a Nat Geo Unique Lodge of the World with airfare
• Grand prize winner will be named the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year

Each category will feature three winners:
• First Prize: A Sony a6300 camera
• Second Prize: The Art of Travel Photography on DVD
• Third Prize: A National Geographic book, Destinations of a LifetimeAll winners will receive a subscription to National Geographic Traveler magazine.